The Bevel and 3-D Rotate effects turn any shape, SmartArt, and picture into a 3D image. Bevel (3-D format) imitates depth by wrapping the image around the 3D object. 3-D Rotate adds volume by extruding the outline and text elements and creates a 3D projection of the resulting 3D figure. Combine both effects to make 3D-looking objects.

The Glow and Soft Edges effects are quite similar. The difference is that Glow creates a color “halo” around the object and adds radiance using the selected color, while Soft Edges makes objects look ”softer” by blurring object edges. It is like the difference between outer and inner shadow.

Reflection creates a mirror image of the object below the original. This effect creates a blurred, semi-transparent clone of the original object that resembles an object reflection on water or class. It is affected by two factors:

The shadow effect creates a contrasting area formed by an object on the opposite side of a natural or imaginary light source. The shadow depends on the light source angle and its intensity.

Object effects are special transformations such as reflections, glows, bevel, and 3-D rotation. Depending on the type of object (shape, text box, chart, etc.), some effects can be applied using commands on the Format tab or choosing the appropriate options on the Format pane.

To apply a line or border fill formatting for a shape, or another type of object, select that object (or several objects), then use commands on the ribbon tab or the Format pane. Various Microsoft PowerPoint objects, such as shapes, text boxes, WordArt elements, charts, and SmartArt diagrams, can be formatted in the same way as in other Office applications:

To apply a fill formatting for to a shape, or another type of object, select that object (or several objects), then use commands on the ribbon tab or the Format pane. Various Microsoft PowerPoint objects, such as shapes, text boxes, WordArt elements, charts, and SmartArt diagrams, can be formatted in the same way as in other Office applications:

Microsoft PowerPoint offers a handy WordArt utility that includes 20 artistic text effects to create spectacular and engaging presentations. WordArt consists of predefined artistic text effects that can be applied to any text (or can be inserted independently). Applying a WordArt text effect retains the original font and font size but adds various font colors, gradients, outline, dimensional, and reflective elements.

The Transformation effect is the most interesting feature of text formatting; it is unavailable for object formatting. There are two categories of transformation: Follow Path and Warp:

In Microsoft Office, you can apply and customize effects for almost all text and graphic objects in the same way. Shadow, Reflection, Glow, Bevel, and 3-D Rotation are available for formatting various graphic objects such as shapes, text boxes, SmartArt, and charts. Also, learn more about the unique Transform effect for text and WordArt.